Opening doors
Experts share tips with parents to help their children gain admission to the institution of choice
Every parent’s dream is to provide their child with world-class education. In the run-up to making the right choice, parents primarily look at curriculum, facilities, qualified teachers, fees and location as key factors. In Dubai, the concerns of parents take on a different nature — high school fees, long waiting lists, lack of information and non-refundable registration costs.
The first step in choosing the right nursery or school is to assess if, as parents, you are ready both psychologically and emotionally, says Lucia Sabatino, Head of Toddlers International Nursery, Dubai. “Secondly, parents need to do a thorough research and identify the type of programme that caters to the sensory needs of the child, where the children have choice and get a wholesome experience. Children from zero to six years are sensorial explorers and learners.”
A recent survey done by comparison website Souqalmal.com saw 850 parents talking about their challenges of choosing the right education for their children. About 65 per cent of the parents from the survey had a waiting list concern, while 33 per cent found it tough to obtain relevant information.
For making a good decision, parents cannot just choose from lists, but need to visit the schools. Ambareen Musa, mum, founder and CEO of Souqalmal.com, says, “I think you can tell a lot by the school’s attitude towards parents. I have been shocked by the rudeness at the reception desk of many of the schools and what worries me is the example my child will be exposed to.”
The American School of Dubai recommends paying attention to key factors such as class size, where the teachers are from, the average length of teachers’ stay in the school, and high-school profiles that can throw light on the colleges students from the institution gain admission to after school.
“For school tours, parents must check for the availability of a qualified and dedicated medical team to handle normal and emergency situations,” says Ghazal Junejo, who has taught in schools in Pakistan and Riyadh.
School fees is another major criteria in choosing the school of your choice. It’s more important to go for the school that suits one’s requirements, rather than looking for one as a status symbol, says Prachi Sankhla, a working mum. “I was initially all set to enrol my child in an IB (International Baccalaureate) school, but the disparity in fees made me think twice. I don’t quite see what extra knowledge a Dh50,000-a-year school could impart to a four-year-old as compared to a Dh30,000-a-year one.”
Junejo says parents should also look out for schools that have a parents’ council, which gives parents a chance to be involved.
While choosing a nursery is an easier process, parents must see to it that they choose an inclusive nursery that caters to particular special requirements that the child might need, says Sabatino. “The nursery should also be in the neighbourhood so travel time is minimised. It should have qualified teachers and a nurse on site. Lastly, if there’s a bus service, make sure there are nursery attendants on the bus.”
In Dubai, check the Knowledge and Human Development Authority ratings while deciding on a school. If parents do their homework and plan ahead, they are sure to make the right choice.
